Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Little Rock, AR

In Little Rock, AR, cooks in the restaurant industry typically earn a median annual salary of $29,810, which translates to approximately $14.33 per hour. This figure is notably lower than the national median annual salary for cooks, which stands at $36,830. When compared to the local median household income of $65,309, it becomes evident that the earnings for cooks fall significantly below what an average household in Little Rock earns annually. With a relatively low unemployment rate of 3.20% in the area, job opportunities are competitive, but wages remain modest for this occupation.

For entry-level cooks in Little Rock, salaries start around $26,550, which is at the 10th percentile mark, indicating that only about 10% of cooks earn less than this amount. On the other hand, more experienced and skilled cooks can see their earnings rise to the 90th percentile, earning up to approximately $37,080 annually. The significant wage disparity between entry-level and experienced workers is primarily driven by factors such as skill level, experience, restaurant type, and demand for culinary expertise in high-end establishments. As cooks gain more experience and hone their skills, they often transition into roles that command higher wages, reflecting the value of their increased proficiency and reliability within the kitchen staff.